Attack On Labour Party Youth Leader: Party calls For Arrest, Prosecution of Abure, Ex-NBA President, Others
.. says attack is a threat to democracy
…Describes it as acts of terrorism
…It’s attempt to malign my person – Akpata debunks sponsoring Attack
Labour Party (LP) has described the attack on its National Youth Leader, Mr. Anslem Eragbe by political thugs suspected to be loyalists of the embattled National Chairman of the party, Julius Abure and former President of Nigeria Bar Association, Mr. Olumide Akpata as a direct assault and threat to the nation’s democracy
The party, while reacting to the Friday’s attack and subsequent kidnap of Eragbe and some loyalists of the party in Benin City, Edo State, at a press conference in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Abayomi Arabambi called on the Inspector General of Police and Director-General, Department of State Services to launch a thorough investigation into the alleged failed attempted murder and kidnap of Eragbe.
Arabambi said, “our party is distressed that this action is happening at this age in our national polity; saying that the attack by the Abure loyalists, needs thorough investigation and prosecution .
While describing the attack as “a serious attempted murder”, Arabambi noted that those involved must be thoroughly investigated and brought to book to serve as deterrent to others.
He alleged that Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, in collaboration with Abure through Akpata, was fueling a crisis within the party.
According to him, the attack was mobilised to disrupt Edo State congresses and create a sense of fear as the party approaches its governorship primary in February 2024.
“If proper action is not taken, these people may pose a dangerous trend in our polity and may be an indictment on Nigeria’s security authorities which requires urgent attention”.
He added, “information available to the Labour Party indicates that the hoodlums were mobilized by Olumide Akpata who is a mole in our party, because he is put in Labour Party to snitch on the party”.
“The party called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of Department of State Services (DSS) to direct an immediate investigation into the act that might have paved way for such unchecked attack on the innocent Nigerians.
“The party demanded that those behind the attack be brought to book immediately”. Labour Party under the headship of Alhaji Lamidi Apapa and other party loyalists, would not be deterred or cowed by the Abure antics and attack dogs to give up the legitimate and constitutional pursuit for the retrieval of our party from a criminal conspirators and fraudsters.
He alleged that “Eragbe has been taking hostage with his skull broken and his brain exposed to infection with no treatment where he is being currently held hostage.
“Unconfirmed reports suggest that they were initially taking hostage in one Kelly Ogbaloi home, and were later led to unknown destination by one Sam Uropa.
Labour Party is therefore at a loss as to why a former President, Mr Olumide Akpata of a responsible and respected organization like the NBA, will be involved in an attempted murder and kidnap of a National Officer of a political party he is seeking to governed the state through .
He added that the NBA should investigate the involvement of Mr. Akpata in political rascality and brigade.
It’s attempt to malign my person – LP’s Akpata debunks sponsoring Attack
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Meanwhile Olumide Akpata has debunked the allegation that he sponsored the attack on some leaders of the party belonging to the Lamidi Apapa group.
Akpata, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), described the allegation as a deliberate attempt to malign his personality.
He made this allegation in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday.
The Labour Party governorship aspirant denied any link with the incident.
